Your Honeymoon

Your Honeymoon

Traditional wedding etiquette states that the groom is the one to handle all the honeymoon details. However, nowadays most brides and grooms plan their honeymoon together.

For the best rates, you should book your honeymoon at least six to eight months in advance. If you know you will be traveling to a destination during their peak season (holidays, winter and spring breaks), it is a good idea to make reservations as soon as you have the wedding date set. You can save up to 50% by going during off-season. It will also be quieter and less crowded. The average honeymoon will cost between $3,000 and $4,500. Before you decide where you want to go, you should create a budget. Creating a budget will help you determine how much you can afford to spend. Check out our honeymoon budget sheet to help you create your own budget.

After determining your budget, look through travel magazines, search the internet, go to the library or go to your favorite bookstore and check out the travel section. Do you want to be adventurous or would you rather kick back and relax on the beach? After narrowing down your choices, go to a travel agent and get all the facts and details. A travel agent will save you money, time and a lot of aggravation because they have instant access to all the necessary information. Go to a travel agent that has experience in personal and vacation travel as opposed to business travel. A good agent will take the time to meet with you and explore all your options. They should also be able to give you advice regarding currency exchanges, legal requirements and a list of attractions to see and do. Ask them about any honeymoon packages or all-inclusive packages. They may seem expensive up front but they may save you on the cost of meals and activities.

Remember to splurge a little. Get a room with a spectacular view, take a helicopter ride, go to a special show or go to an elegant restaurant. This is a once-in-a-lifetime trip and you want to relax, enjoy and remember it always!

Top Ten Honeymoon Destinations

Hawaii

Jamaica

Mexico

Tahiti

Florida

England

Italy

Bermuda

France

St. Lucia

Cruise

Packing the Essentials

Here is a list of some of the more essential items you will need to bring with you on your honeymoon.

Cash or traveler’s checks, bring one credit card and a cash card

Sunblock

Sunglasses

Film (don’t forget the camera!)

Any prescription medicine

Toothbrush

If you’re going to a foreign country, don’t forget a voltage converter

List of addresses so you can send your friends and relatives a postcard

Tipping Guidelines

The following is a list of who, when and how much to tip while you’re on your honeymoon:

Taxi Drivers: You should tip a taxi driver about 15% of the cab’s fare. If he puts your luggage in the trunk, you should include $.25 for each piece of luggage.

Sky Caps: A sky cap is the person who takes your luggage from the curbside and brings it to the appropriate baggage cart. They prevent you from having to stand in the long line at the airport so you can check in your baggage. They should be tipped @ $2.00 for four pieces of luggage. If you have additional luggage, tip him $.50 for each piece. Warning: if you’re a stingy tipper, they can send your luggage to another part of the world other than your honeymoon destination!

Bellboys: You should tip a bellboy the same amount that you tip a sky cap.

Restaurant Waiters: You should tip a waiter approximately 15% of the meal price (don’t include the tax). However, if you feel that they gave you great service, tip them 20%. If you feel that they just gave you satisfactory service, tip them 10%.

Chambermaid: Your chambermaid should be tipped $2.00 per day.

Cruise Personnel: You can ask your travel agent for the guidelines on tipping. However, most cruise lines will inform you of the appropriate tip amount. The cabin steward and table steward usually receive about $5.00 each per day. You can also tip other cruise personnel such as the dining room captain, deck captain, and recreation director.

Just remember that tipping is paid to people who give you good service. If you feel that you received poor service, then complain to the management and tip accordingly.